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Following the Indiana Fever's controversy-laden 111-109 defeat to the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, one former NFL quarterback is encouraging Caitlin Clark to "seriously consider" leaving the WNBA behind.
Speaking Thursday on CBS Sports Network, Boomer Esiason declared that Clark would never get the respect she deserves in the WNBA, and that she should think about heading overseas to
MORE: Fever's Caitlin Clark just had a 'pivotal' moment in her career after controversial loss to Mercury
"If I were Caitlin Clark, I would seriously consider going to play overseas somewhere and get the royal treatment, and get real money," Esiason said. "I know that Caitlin makes a ton of money off the court in terms of endorsements, and rightfully so. But I think there's a petty, petty jealousy (in the WNBA). She's a straight white basketball player, and she is not being treated with any sort of respect."
"If I were Caitlin Clark, I would seriously consider going to play overseas somewhere and get the royal treatment…she's a straight white basketball player. And she is not being treated with any sort of respect" – Boomer Esiason pic.twitter.com/zeFRdOMLVn
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 25, 2026Esiason's comments come the day after Clark suffered a tweak to her back and was ruled out for the second half of the Fever's home loss to the Mercury.
During the first half of that game, Clark took a fist to the throat from Phoenix star Alyssa Thomas amid a scramble for a loose ball. Indiana head coach Stephanie White was incensed that referees did not whistle Thomas for a flagrant foul, calling the oversight "egregious" and "absolutely unacceptable" in post-game comments.
Esiason's comments contain a racial element that is patently unnecessary and provocative when discussing the treat Clark receives from players and officials.
And one even could argue that Clark gets a fairly favorable whistle. She has taken 103 free throws this season for an average of 6.1 attempts per game, which places her seventh in the league.
The Fever rightfully will feel sore about Thomas' throat punch and the awkward landing that led to Clark's back tweak.
But Esiason's inappropriate remarks -- including the idea that players are jealous of Clark because of a shoe deal -- add unwelcome fuel to an already-raging fire.
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